Information - Wyoming Department of Transportation

Bighorn National Forest maps may be obtained at the
Forest Service offices in Buffalo, Lovell and Sheridan;
at the Burgess Junction Visitor Center and at the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Visitor Center
in Lovell.
For further information, stop at one of the
Visitor Centers or call the Forest Service in Buffalo (307) 684 -1100, in Lovell (307) 548-6541
or in Sheridan (307) 672-0751.
Additional Wyoming travel and wildlife information
may be obtained from:
Tourism Division—Wyoming Business Council
I-25 at College Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7777 or 1-800-225-5996
Sheridan Information Center
(Open daily during summer)
I-90 at 5th Street Exit
Sheridan, WY 82801
Sheridan Wildlife Educational Center
and Outdoor Classroom (Open weekdays)
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
I-90 at 5th Street Exit
Sheridan, WY 82801
Buffalo Visitor Center (Open daily during summer)
Buffalo Chamber of Commerce
55 N. Main Street
Buffalo, WY 82834
Produced by the
Wyoming Department of Transportation
with the cooperation of the
Wyoming Business Council
through a grant from the
Federal Highway Administration.
Published by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, 5/1/00
The Wagner Perspective
Byway Information
Exploring the
Big Horn Mountain Country
Scenic Byways
Three Scenic Byways traverse the Big Horn
Mountains in north central Wyoming: the
Big Horn, the Medicine Wheel Passage, and
the Cloud Peak Skyway.
The Wagner Perspective
The Cloud Peak Skyway can be reached from
the east by exiting Interstates 25 or 90 at Buffalo,
or from the west on U.S. 16 at Worland. The Big
Horn Scenic Byway and Medicine Wheel Passage are reached from the east by exiting Interstate
U.S. 14A, Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway
as it decends through Shell Canyon (cover).
90 at Sheridan/Ranchester. The Big Horn Byway follows U.S. 14 from the west at Greybull, while the
Medicine Wheel Passage takes U.S. 14A from Lovell.
Driving time on each Byway depends on the interests of the visitor and time of the year. Stopping to
enjoy the outstanding scenery, the many points of
interest, or adventures such as camping and fishing,
can extend travel time by several hours or even days.
The Indian Paintbrush is Wyoming’s
state flower. The
Wyoming Scenic
Byway program
adopted the
Indian Paintbrush
as its logo. As you
tour Wyoming’s
Scenic Byways, the
Indian Paintbrush
will identify your
route.
The National Forest
boundary marks the east
entrance to the Cloud
Peak Skyway Scenic
Byway.
Approachable from either the west or east, the three
Byways rise from about 4,000 feet on the valley floor
to a height of almost 10,000 feet above sea level, high
atop the Big Horn Mountains.
Travelers in Big Horn Mountain Country will note there
are several different spellings for almost the same thing–
Big Horn. The rule of thumb is: if the area is administered by the federal government it is one word and
capitalized, as in Bighorn National Forest and Bighorn
Canyon National Recreation Area. All others names are
two words, both capitalized, as in Big Horn Mountains,
Big Horn River, and the hamlet of Big Horn. Get this—all
of these names came from a long-time resident and
big game animal, the bighorn sheep. One word, no
capitals.
camping, down-hill and Nordic skiing (in season), scenic views, spectacular fall colors, glorious spring flowers
and exceptional wildlife viewing.
The alpine regions of Big Horn Mountain Country are
inhabited during the summer by elk and a few bighorn
sheep. Found in the forested areas are coyotes, snowshoe hares, red squirrels, marmots, chipmunks and blue
grouse. Mountain lions inhabit the foothills and canyon
areas while black bear occupy remote areas of the
northern parts of the Big Horns. Goshawks and gray
jays live in the timbered areas year-round. Other birds
in the region include red-tailed hawks, golden eagles,
American kestrels and great horned owls. On occasion
the rare osprey can be observed.
Special Attractions
The Wagner Perspective
A trip through Big Horn Mountain Country offers the
Big Horn Mountains, Bighorn National Forest, Cloud
Peak Wilderness, Meadowlark Lake, Ten Sleep Canyon,
Shell Canyon, waterfalls, and historic Native American
sites. While in the area, one can enjoy fishing, hiking,
Egret Communications
The imposing rock walls of Tensleep
Canyon line Cloud Peak Skyway’s west
entrance. Bighorn sheep (inset) is the
area’s namesake.
Vegetation on the eastern slope of
the mountains is more lush than
on the western side mainly because there’s a better chance of
afternoon thundershowers. These
occur because the moist air that
moves across the Great Plains
from the central states brings humidity, which results in showers,
but the moist air is too shallow to cross the Big Horn
Mountain Range. As a result, air is always drier on the
western slope than on the eastern side.
Travelers approaching the Big Horn Mountains from either direction should watch for pronghorn antelope,
deer, pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse and turkeys. Summer birds include lark buntings, mountain bluebirds,
American goldfinches, redpolls, juncos, magpies and
crows. Red foxes and coyotes may be observed early
or late in the day. Birds of prey (raptors) may include
golden eagles, red-tailed hawks and merlin. Elk and
deer and even moose are often observed during the
summer.
Travelers can count on two of these Scenic Byways
to be open most of the time in summer and fall,
but should expect delays and temporary road closures
in winter and early spring due to snowfall. Medicine
Wheel Passage closes for the winter. The many side
roads into the National Forest—allowing visitors access
to the numerous lakes, hiking trails, campgrounds and
other points of interest—are only accessible in summer
and fall. Of course, the Bighorn Mountains afford ample
winter recreation opportunities, such as Nordic skiing
and snowmobiling. Many areas of the Big Horns are
closed to cars in times of heavy snow, but at that time
are perfect for winter recreation enthusiasts.
Travelers will marvel at the scenery of the 1.1 millionacre Bighorn National Forest, established in 1897 by
President Grover Cleveland. National Forest roads leaving U.S. 14 and U.S. 16 provide access to wilderness
trailheads. The Cloud Peak Wilderness area alone contains almost 200,000 acres, in addition to most of
the highest peaks in the mountain range, including
13,175-foot Cloud Peak.
Egret Communications
Highlights in Big Horn
Mountain Country
Cloud Peak
Skyway’s fir
and golden
aspen under a
light blanket of
autumn snow.
Cloud Peak Skyway
The Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway is the southernmost route across the Bighorn National Forest in the Big
Horn Mountains. The designated 47-mile stretch of the
Scenic Byway, or U.S. 16, shares its boundaries with the
National Forest. The route can be reached via Ten Sleep
from the west or Buffalo from the east. Allow one-hour
minimum driving time.
The road is a paved two-lane highway, with occasional
pullouts as it ascends toward 9,666-foot Powder River
Pass. This route makes a more gradual ascent of the
mountain range than routes to the north. Mountain
weather can be extreme and snow can fall in any
month at these elevations but rarely does it affect travel
in the summer and early fall.
Services—Full traveler services are available in Worland and Buffalo with limited services in Ten Sleep. Four
commercial lodges located along the Byway provide
WG&F Dept.
Western meadowlark,
Wyoming’s State Bird.
3. Meadowlark Recreation Area. Lying in a valley
on the south side of the road, the area is a magnet
for recreational vehicles, boaters and campers. There’s a
commercial lodge here, and access to the Big Horn Ski
Area and groomed Nordic ski trails at Willow Park.
Cloud Peak Skyway
4. High Park Lookout. This inviting trip is down
a short gravel road to see wonderful views and St.
Christopher’s of the Big Horns, a woodland chapel and
a popular site for summer wedding ceremonies. The
lookout, constructed in 1942 by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), was built for rangers to watch for
forest fires and to serve as a communication link.
Meadowlark Lake
and it’s surrounding meadow of
wlidflowers is a
popular place to
stop.
A short distance off the main highway, about four miles
east of Ten Sleep, is the Wigwam Rearing Station. About
four miles farther is the Ten Sleep Fish Hatchery. Both
are operated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and have interpretive signs. These facilities supply
young game fish to waterways throughout the state.
The Forest boundary is slightly more than seven miles
east of Ten Sleep and is the start of the Scenic Byway.
Ponderosa pines mingle with Douglas fir, cottonwoods
and aspen in the mountain forest. The drive up the canyon is spectacular, and features limestone and dolomite
cliffs.
Indian Paintbrush,
Wyoming’s State
Flower.
1. Two adjacent scenic pullouts. These pullouts
give the traveler a chance to appreciate the views and
to read interpretive signs that describe local history.
One tells of the large bighorn sheep herds that once
dwelled in the area. The other explains the stone monument perched high atop the south wall of the canyon
It was erected in 1889 to commemorate English nobleman Gilbert Leigh, who fell to his death while hunting
the nimble sheep.
Egret Communications
some services too. Many campgrounds line the route.
Some offer facilities for boats and motor homes and are
open in summer and early fall. Boat ramps and fishing
area parking lots are available at Meadowlark Lake and
Tie Hack Reservoir.
Horse Creek Studio
The Wagner Perspective
5. Powder River Pass. At 9,666 feet elevation it
is above timberline and the views of the surrounding
peaks are exceptional. In addition to the elevation, wind
patterns and localized soils influence where grass grows
and where trees flourish. This phenomena can be seen
by observing trees growing at the same elevation on
Hesse Mountain several miles to the south. Lodgepole
pine is the most common tree species in the Bighorn
National Forest. Large quantities of snow accumulate
on these mountain peaks and valleys in winter, which
supply valuable spring and summer runoff to lakes,
reservoirs, streams and rivers in the dryer valleys below.
Wyoming’s high-country is as colorful in summer
as it is white in winter.
2. Forest Road 27. This gravel road is navigable by
most vehicles. It passes a lodge, several campgrounds,
and leads to West Ten Sleep Lake. The trailhead here
leads to many incredible mountain-hiking destinations,
and is one of the most popular access points into the
Cloud Peak Wilderness.
6. Pullout six miles from the Pass. An interpretive
sign identifies nearby rock as being three billion years
old; other signs farther down the slope mark increasingly “younger” rock. The paradox of younger rock
being lower in elevation is made possible through the
geological act of tilting. Continuing eastward, travelers
will find a number of campgrounds and pullouts on
the way down the mountain. The willow bogs and
wet meadows ahead are good spots for seeing moose.
Moose are most often seen in the morning or evening
during the summer, and at mid-day during the winter.
7. Crazy Woman Canyon Road (Road 33). Leading east off the Byway and into a steep canyon is an
interesting side road. It is navigable by most cars and
trucks but shouldn’t be attempted by large vehicles or
vehicles with trailers in tow. The route winds through
a scenic canyon, where many large boulders have
tumbled down to the creek below. The road eventually
connects with Wyoming 196, 12 miles south of Buffalo.
a break from driving and enjoy
the view. Photographic opportunities abound.
8. Loaf Mountain Overlook. On the south side of
the Byway it provides an excellent view of high peaks
in the Cloud Peak Wilderness with their rocky cliffs
and snowfields. An interpretive sign tells about timber
harvesting activity visible in the middle distance.
The Big Horn Scenic Byway is the middle route across
the Bighorn National Forest in the Big Horn Mountains.
The official 47-mile stretch of the Scenic Byway, or U.S.
14, shares its western boundary with the Forest. From
the west, the route begins around four miles from the
town of Shell. At Burgess Junction the Big Horn Scenic
Byway meets the Medicine Wheel Scenic Byway (U.S.
14A). The eastern boundary of the Scenic Byway is 6.5
miles west of the town of Dayton.
The two-lane Byway can close for short periods of time
due to heavy snows during winter or early spring, but
summer and fall travel are normally not interrupted by
inclement weather. Granite Pass at 9,033 feet marks the
apex of this scenic route that switchbacks through a
canyon on the western side and desends more gradually on the eastern slope of the mountains.
Services—Shell and Dayton have limited visitor services. Full tourism facilities and services are available
in Greybull and Sheridan. Several Forest Service camp-
2. Shell Falls. On the north
side of the highway in Shell
Creek Canyon there’s an easy
access parking area. The creek
dives 120 feet down this Precambrian granite slippery slide
4. Granite Pass. At 9,033 feet above sea level, it
sits among windswept vegetation and solid granite. Ski
runs are noticeable from the highway at nearby Antelope Butte Ski Area. The route continues eastwardly
from the Pass down to Dayton, on a steady, and not-assteep descent to the lower elevation.
5. Burgess Junction / Blowdown Interpretive
Sign. Burgess Junction marks the point where U.S.
14A splits off to the west and becomes the Medicine
Wheel Passage Scenic Byway. Travelers will find a Visitors Center and camping and picnic sites nearby, as well
as access to numerous secondary gravel roads.
grounds along the passage can accommodate a variety
of recreational vehicles and tent campers.
1. Shell Creek Canyon. Begining near the western
National Forest boundary several switchbacks start the
ascent into the Big Horn Mountains. Massive tilting
rocks reveal their tips, while their roots reach deep into
the Big Horn Basin. Towering cliff walls may block the
sun as the highway and Shell Creek squeeze through
the narrow canyon. At times the creek is hidden from
view far below the roadway. Stock trails visible along
the opposite canyon walls indicate where livestock is
sometimes driven up the steep canyon walls. Cottonwood trees and willows provide habitat for numerous
resident songbirds. At higher elevations, juniper and
sagebrush dominate the slopes where magpies, Rocky
Mountain bluebirds and mourning doves are seen during the summer. The area provides an important winter
range for deer and elk. Mountain lions also occupy
the canyon but are seldom seen due to their secretive
nature. Coyotes and bobcats are abundant, but a sharp,
experienced eye is needed to spot them. Scenic overlooks provide the traveler with a chance to stop, take
6. Cutler Hill. A stopping area a few miles eastward
stands at 8,347 feet. Several lakes, campgrounds, picnic
areas and popular trout fishing waterways are near this
point. Among the most popular fishing areas are Sibley
Lake, Prune Creek and the Little Tongue River.
7. Forest Service boundary. 6.5 miles west of Dayton is the official eastern edge of the Scenic Byway.
It’s marked with a scenic overlook, one of several in
the immediate area. The overlook reveals spectacular
views and information about the Powder River Basin
far beyond, and nearby Fallen City, a field of Madison
formation limestone blocks that toppled onto the rocks
below.
The Wagner Perspective
Big Horn Scenic Byway
3. Granite Creek Picnic Area. Featured is an interpretive sign that describes a huge stretch of damaged
trees on the opposite mountain. A freak tornado swept
through here in 1959. Trees at this environment and
elevation are slow to rejuvenate.
The Wagner Perspective
9. Hospital Hill. The east portal of the National Forest
boundary marks the eastern end of the Cloud Peak
Skyway Scenic Byway. The area was used for outings
by early patients of the soldier’s hospital at old Fort
McKinney. A forest firefighters’ memorial is located here.
The town of Buffalo sits about 10 miles below the end
of the Scenic Byway.
into the gorge below. This stop offers nature trails,
interpretive signs and restrooms. The site is open daily,
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from mid-May through September,
and is a popular stop for visitors to the area.
The Shell Falls interpretive site (left)
and beautiful Shell Falls on Shell
Creek (below).
8. Tongue River / Tongue River Canyon. The river
is accompanied by a foot trail that hikers can follow
from the trailhead near Dayton all the way to Burgess
Junction. Anglers will find the icy waters of the river a
trout fishing adventure.
Overhead diagram of the
rock structure known as the
Medicine Wheel. The spokes
have been found to correspond
to the lunar calendar
Medicine Wheel Passage
The Medicine Wheel Passage Scenic Byway is the northern-most route across the Bighorn National Forest in the
Big Horn Mountains. The 27 miles of this Scenic Byway
run nearly the length of U.S. 14A, ending at the western
edge of the Bighorn National Forest. Just to the west
of the boundary are the Bighorn Canyon National
Recreation Area and the nearby town of Lovell.
On the east end is Burgess Junction, where
the Scenic Byway merges with U.S. 14 and
becomes the Big Horn Scenic Byway. The
town of Dayton provides access to the
route from the east.
tion of the Yellowtail Dam about 47 miles north in
Montana. The area has sparse vegetation, which makes
it a geology buff’s paradise. Spectacular cliffs and rock
formations contain fossils of long gone sea creatures
and dinosaurs. The Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Visitor Center is located on the eastern edge
of Lovell. Here travelers can get information about the
area and the nearby Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range.
(Medicine Wheel Passage map bullets are blue)
1. The National Forest boundary. Marking the
western edge of this Scenic Byway, it features a highway pullout and interpretative sign. This is a great
place to view the Big Horn Basin, a product of ancient
mountain building and erosion. When the Big Horns,
the Owl Creeks and the Beartooth Mountains were
formed, the Big Horn Basin and other mountain valleys
Medicine Wheel Passage
This two-lane paved highway follows one
of the highest routes in the state. The
steep, winding road sports numerous truck
turnoffs and a maximum 10-percent grade.
Heavy snow keeps the road closed in winter
and early spring, so summer and fall are the
only practical seasons to make this trip.
A high point (literally) along the route is the
9,430-foot view looking southwesterly into
the Big Horn Basin thousands of feet below.
Mountain peaks tower above 13,000 feet in
this high-altitude neighborhood. The rapid change in
elevation along the Byway provides a variety of habitat
types. During the summer, deer and an occasional elk
can be viewed feeding at the edge of timber stands.
Blue grouse, with their young, are found near the many
springs in the forested area. Mourning doves are also
common near water.
Big Horn Scenic Byway
The ever
present
color of
high-country wildflowers.
Morning mist on Sibley Lake.
sunk. Changing conditions over geologic time created
the rich oil, gas, and bentonite fields found here today.
Special Attractions
Services—All traveler services are available in nearby
Lovell. Several Forest Service campgrounds accommodate a variety of recreational vehicles and tent campers
along the route.
Big Horn Lake is visible from U.S. 14A, a few miles
west of the official start of the Scenic Byway. The lake
is part of the 120,000-acre Bighorn Canyon National
Recreation Area. The lake was created by the construc-
2. Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark.
Located on the slopes of Medicine Mountain, it can be
reached by taking a short gravel road off the north side
of the highway to a parking area. The most conspicuous feature of the landmark is a circular alignment of
limestone boulders that measures around 80-feet in
diameter and contains 28 rock “spokes” that radiate
The Wagner Perspective
The Wagner Perspective
Steamboat
Point, a major
landmark of
U.S. 14’s eastern end above
the town of
Dayton.
The Wagner Perspective
In the 1870s and 1880s, Dayton and other nearby
towns were at the heart of numerous conflicts between
Native Americans and the U.S. Army, which ultimately
ended with the Indians losing their prized hunting
grounds. Dayton offers a museum dedicated to these
struggles, and is a jumping-off point for visitors who
wish to explore more of Big Horn Mountain Country.
from a prominent central cairn. Visitors may walk to
see the Medicine Wheel up close, but be advised it is
a three-mile round-trip hike at an elevation of nearly
10,000 feet above sea level.
Byway Travel Tips
The Big Horn basin as viewed from
the western summit of the Medicine
Wheel Passage (below left), a late
afternoon Wyoming sun bathes the
high-country along U.S. 14A.
 The minimum driving time along each of these
three scenic byways is approximately an hour.
Allow additional time to enjoy the many scenic features the Byways have to offer.
The Medicine Wheel is a sacred, historic site and an
archeological wonder. Researchers believe the Medicine
Wheel was constructed in stages by prehistoric Native
Americans in the past 1,000 years. There are many
legends and traditions that may explain the Wheel’s
origin. Some believe it was built as a monument to an
ancient chief. A more widely held theory is that it is a
form of calendar, since the 28 spokes correspond with
the lunar calendar. It has been found to align with the
rising sun at the summer solstice.
4. Forest Roads 14 and 15 / Bucking Mule
Falls. Just a few miles apart, are two gravel routes
leading off the northern part of the Scenic Byway.
Take Forest Road 14 and a forest map to find the trail-
 All three routes are modern, two-lane paved roads
and have a number of turnouts, picnic areas and
scenic views.
 Vehicles tuned for sea level may not perform as well
at higher mountain elevations. Be prepared to pull
over and allow faster traffic to pass if necessary.
head to Bucking Mule
Falls. The 500-foot vertical drop waterfall can
be reached by hiking a
mile and a half from the
Bucking Mule Trailhead.
Forest Road 15 offers an alternate unpaved route to
Burgess Junction. Both these roads connect with numerous other forest roads, leading to campgrounds,
trailheads and more scenic locales.
5. North Tongue River. The river provides much of
the scenic quality of this eastern stretch of the Scenic
Byway, as it forms grassy meadows with ample opportunities for trout angling and moose viewing. The
river has carved its way through granite to create the
 While driving in the mountains, use lower gears
going uphill to avoid overheating the engine and
lower gears going downhill to avoid excessive wear
on vehicle brakes.
canyons where the highway carries visitors past spectacular high-country scenery.
6. Burgess Junction. This stop marks where the Medicine Wheel Passage meets the Bighorn Scenic Byway.
Travelers will find camping and picnic sites nearby, as
well as access to a number of gravel mountain roads.
The Burgess Junction Visitor Center is about two
miles east of the Junction on U.S. 14. This is a good spot
to survey the scenery of high meadows and conifers,
and to obtain maps and other information about the
area. The Visitor Center is staffed daily 8 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. from mid-May through September. A large exhibit
area provides state-of-the-art displays about the history
and natural resources of the area. It also offers a large
selection of educational materials for purchase.
WG&F Dept.
The Wagner Perspective
3. Bald Mountain City. At the
site of a ghost town, a highway pullout features interpretive signs that
describe the area’s rich gold mining
history. Local granite was found to
contain gold-bearing quartz, word of
which quickly attracted prospectors
to the area. In the 1890s, claims were
established, mines were built, and
towns were founded. The harsh climate and low yield
of gold were enough to shut the operation down after
a few years, leaving behind only placenames as a reminder.
 These routes traverse one of Wyoming’s famous
mountain ranges. Road grades on the Cloud Peak
Skyway and the Big Horn Scenic Byway do not
exceed 7% while the steepest grade on the Medicine Wheel Passage is about 10%.
The Wagner Perspective
Traditional beliefs of the Arapaho, Bannock, Blackfeet,
Cheyenne, Crow, Kootenai-Salish, Plains Cree, Shoshone
and Sioux revere the Medicine Wheel as a uniquely
important and powerful spiritual site that figures prominently in oral and ceremonial tribal
traditions. Interpretive tours are available daily from mid-June through
October, weather permitting.
 The Cloud Peak Skyway and the Big Horn Scenic
Byway are open year-round while the Medicine
Wheel Passage is closed during the winter.
Seldom seen, but always present in the Big Horn Mountains
is the reclusive mountain lion.
Bighorn National Forest maps may be obtained at the
Forest Service offices in Buffalo, Lovell and Sheridan;
at the Burgess Junction Visitor Center and at the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Visitor Center
in Lovell.
For further information, stop at one of the
Visitor Centers or call the Forest Service in Buffalo (307) 684 -1100, in Lovell (307) 548-6541
or in Sheridan (307) 672-0751.
Additional Wyoming travel and wildlife information
may be obtained from:
Tourism Division—Wyoming Business Council
I-25 at College Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7777 or 1-800-225-5996
Sheridan Information Center
(Open daily during summer)
I-90 at 5th Street Exit
Sheridan, WY 82801
Sheridan Wildlife Educational Center
and Outdoor Classroom (Open weekdays)
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
I-90 at 5th Street Exit
Sheridan, WY 82801
Buffalo Visitor Center (Open daily during summer)
Buffalo Chamber of Commerce
55 N. Main Street
Buffalo, WY 82834
Produced by the
Wyoming Department of Transportation
with the cooperation of the
Wyoming Business Council
through a grant from the
Federal Highway Administration.
Published by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, 5/1/00
The Wagner Perspective
Byway Information